BUSHENYI, UGANDA – The approval of the Bushenyi District Service Commission has been stalled by the Public Service Commission amid allegations of corruption and bribery in the appointments process.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The development was confirmed by the District LC V Chairperson, Jaffari Bassajabalaba, during a district council session held at Rukiko Hall on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
Addressing the councilors, Bassajabalaba explained that his office had submitted all required names and documentation following the council’s approval of the nominees.
However, he noted that the approval process had been prolonged after officials from the Public Service Commission visited the district to investigate corruption allegations linked to the appointments.
The Chairperson’s remarks came in response to protests from councilors over a separate procedural matter: the presentation of the 2026/2027 budget framework.
Councilors demanded to know why the individuals they had approved for the District Service Commission had not yet been confirmed by the Public Service Commission, despite the lapse of the expected approval timeline.
Kakonge Apollo Lee, Executive Director of the Western Ankole Civil Society Forum, said that he stepped in after a leaked audio captured a district service commission nominee promising to pay a bribe balance to the District Chairperson.
He stated that he subsequently reached out to the relevant authorities, urging them to intervene and ensure the arrest and prosecution of all parties involved.
“We cannot continue living in an environment where someone buys their way to head the commission that recruits district workers. How can we expect such a person to preside over recruitments freely and fairly?” said Kakonge Apollo.
Sources indicate that an audio recording of a conversation involving one Barahuka Denning, whose name was approved by the district council, was leaked to the public, in which he was heard admitting to having paid money to be approved.
The district council session has since been adjourned by the Bushenyi District Speaker, Rt. Hon. Douglas Mucunguzi, until further notice.
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